Followers of the Path

by bubbajack

YAHF. Xander woke up the day after Halloween looking at a screen asking him to hit the 'X' at the bottom of it. Saying he had been chosen to walk The Path... 'What the fuck? Since when was my life been a videogame' Gamer-Xander Xander/Harem Multicross story. Rated M, for Blood, Gore, and possible Lemons in the future.

3. Chapter 3

Followers of the Path

By: Bubbajack

Beta/Co-author: IcySnowSage

Special Consultant: Helision

Disclaimer:I do not own BtVS, DnD, Pathfinder, or any other game mechanic based work that makes it into this fic. Be they LN, Anime, or Korean Comic of some sort.

Ch.3: Alliances.

It had been a week since Xander had become the Don of the Janus Familgia and so far things had gone rather smoothly. He did his usual workout, had Ziz acting as a scout mapping out the town for him, Willie sent him a text wanting him to swing by the bar later to pick up his cut from the first sale of coins. He'd also received his first bump to his strength and dexterity stats by completing his daily quests. Ziz and the others had been busy hunting vampires too, Janna, Jonathan and himself had all leveled up thanks to the Goblins combined efforts over the past week. They were all close to their next levels anyway after dealing with Spike, but that's besides the point.

As he continued to run to school he got a popup saying "Your party member Ziz killed six vampires for 150 EXP, 120 Crime EXP, and you gain 360 gold."

"Nice going Ziz," Xander muttered under his breath as he made his way through the front doors of the school. Throughout the day he would get various popups like that.

"Your party member Gnarl killed three vampires for 75 EXP, and 60 Crime EXP! You gain 60 gold."

"Your party member Sylva killed six vampires for 150 EXP and 120 Crime EXP! You gain 360 gold."

One popup in particular surprised him. "Doug found a vein of diamonds while digging. He'll need a stronger pick to mine these hard minerals however."

Companion Quest: "For want of a Nail."

Objective: Find a pick capable of mining diamonds for Doug.

Success: One diamond worth 250 gold every Twenty-four hours. +25 loyalty with Doug.

Failure: No diamonds, -10 loyalty with Doug.

"Huh, well that's a thing," Xander said to himself as the bell rang and he headed off to his next class.

~FotP~

He was in computer class now and he decided to try something. 'Send Message Janna Kalderash. [Hey Jan, did you get the companion quest popup? This is Xander by the way.] Send.' He thought.

He watched as Janna's eyes widened in surprise for a moment and then after a moment he got a reply.

"This is the start of Party Chat between you and Janna Kalderash."

[Janna: I … did… when did you figure out we could do this?!]

[Protagonist_9: Just now. Decided to try something, turns out it worked. How cool is this?! We can totally have secret conversations without anyone noticing! You can help me cheat on my tests!]

[Witch_12: Xander! I'm not going to do that! Its both immoral and illegal!]'

[Protagonist_9: Only if you can prove it. :) ]

[Witch_10: … how did you do that emoji?]

[Protagonist_9: I have no idea! But it was friggin' cool.]

[Witch_12: . Get back to work.]

[Protagonist_9: -_- Yes Mommy dearest.]

Xander decided to try something 'Add Jonathan Levinsion to chat.'

[Protagonist_9: Johnathan come in do you read me? This is Xander, come in.]

[Cleric_8: Dude what the fuck is this?]

[Protagonist_9: Party Chat.]

[Cleric_8: So cool! So it's thought based?]

[Protagonist_9: Seems like it.]

[Cleric_8: Wonder if we can add Cavall? Also why do you come up as Protagonist?]

[Protagonist_9: Fuck if I know. But I will try contacting Cavall real quick.]

'Add Cavall to chat.' He thought.

[Cay_Hound: What the..? The fuck is this?!]

[Protagonist_9: Party Chat Cavall, this is Alpha btw.]

[Cay_Hound: Well ain't tha nice… now fuck off! I'm watchin me show!]

"Cay_Hound has left the chat."

[Cleric_8: 0_0… Well that was a thing… holy crap I did an emoji!]

Xander wondered if there was some way he could shorten his name.

[Protag/9: Yeah that's a thing.]

Cleric_8: !... X_X …! Also how did you change your title?]

[Protag/9: No fucking clue, I just thought about it being shorter and it was.]

[Ilmaterist/8: Oh wow, that worked!

[Illmaterist/8: I think the /# are our levels.]

[Protag/9: Yeah probably.]

[PO'd Teacher/12: Get back to work boys!]

Protag/9 and Illmaterist/8 have left the chat.

~FotP~

The gamer trio had lunch in the computer room as had become their custom by then and talked about the newly found feature. "Why didn't we know about this sooner?" Jonathan asked, "It would've helped out a time or two."

"Good question, Janus is a God of Chaos, so maybe he just wants us to figure some things out on our own," Janna opioned.

Jonathan nodded albeit begrudgingly. "Yeah that could be," He turned to Xander, "What're your plans for after school dude?"

"Heading over to Willies. He has some cash for me," Xander replied.

Jonathan gave a thumbs up. "Nice… Also I've been meaning to bring this up but I wanted to wait, and prove I could pull my weight. Would it be okay if we invited my buddy Andrew to the group?"

Janna and Xander shared a look. The older of the two inquired. "You've mentioned him before I believe, the studious one correct?"

Jonathan nodded. "Yeah he's wicked sharp."

"Is he smart enough to keep his mouth shut about this is what I'm wondering?" Xander quipped.

The group cleric raised an eyebrow. "Dude, who would believe him anyway?"

"Buffy and Willow," The Champion of Janus was quick to reply. "If they find out I've been doing all this behind their back, plus the Don and Vigilante things I'm fucked," He looked between them both before saying seriously. "We're all fucked." Xander shook his head. "As good as I am, I am under no illusions that I can take on a pissed off Buffy… yet. After a three month training stint off the Hellmouth? Maybe. But not now, We can't afford for her to find out right now."

The other two nodded. If Buffy was one thing, it was self-righteous. She was only the slayer when it was convenient for her.

'Like Angel for example,' Janna thought bitterly. 'She refuses to kill him simply because he 'has a soul'. She could end almost a century of grudge my family held onto but refuses to do so because she's love struck over a corpse.'

"Anyway, as to Andrew… We'll need to vet him first. If he passes he's in if he doesn't we'll just have Janna wipe his memories and he'll be none the wiser. Bring him by for dinner tonight and we'll see how he reacts to one of the goblins."

Jonathan nodded in respect. "As you say, Padrino."

~FotP~

Xander made his way down the streets, and through several alleyways that led to Willie's literal hole in the wall bar. Call it being paranoid, but he felt like he was being followed so he took a roundabout way to get there, and didn't actually head to the dive until the feeling went away. Ducking through the hole and watching the sign, Xander looked around the room. Willie was manning his makeshift bar made out of seesaws and planks of wood, as usual the patrons were nursing their drinks at the haphazardly placed tables. In the corner, he saw Scottie in the middle of a card game, and sent him a silent nod as he made his way towards the ramshackle bar, ignoring the scent of smoke in the air that the ancient fans, instead of dispelling just spread around as they turned squeakily.

Saddling up to the bar, he said to Willie, "You got something for me Willie?"

The shifty barman nodded. "Kid, as a matter 'a fact I do," Willie reached under the bar and came back up with several stuffed paper envelopes held together with butcher's twine. "I sold the coins you left with me on an auction site. They went for a grand a piece, After the site got their ten percent, an' I got my fifteen, you got yourself a nice fifteen grand there, just from the twenty coins ya gave me."

"Wow…" Xander said holding the packages in his hands, "I've never had this much money in my life."

"Young kid like you, I bet that's a lot, but lemme tell ya, it won't go all that far. You trust me now? You wanna sell the rest of the lot?" Wille asked.

"I'll liquidate a quarter instead of what I originally intended," Xander explained, "I've come into more coins since we last talked. So I don't need as much at the moment."

"Why am I not surprised?" Willie said to himself. "Alright so a quarter then, how much'll that be then?"

Xander reached into his pocket, and through there, his inventory and pulled out almost a full stack of gold before throwing the bag on the bartop. "One-thousand-three-hundred-thirty golden aureus."

Willie was practically salivating as he looked at the pouch full of coins. "Y-Yer lookin' at a nine-hundred-ninty-seven-thousand-five-hundred dollar return overall here kid if I sell 'em all on that site."

"Ebay right?" Xander asked for clarification.

"Yeah…" Willie said his eyes never left the bag.

Xander had to stop himself from laughing. "Alright then Willie, I'll leave these here and let you get to it." He turned to go only to stop and say, "Maybe once you get enough scratch you can either fix this place up or move somewhere better suited to your clientele."

The old man snorted as he placed the bag under the counter. "Kid, most'a my money goes to procuring more drink for my more… distinguished customers."

Xander cast a bayful eye over the liquor bottles behind the bar. Some of which were full of what he was pretty damn sure wasn't wine. "Demons and vampires in other words."

Willie winced at the disdain in the boy's tone. "Yeah them."

Xander grunted, activating his Don Quixote title as he did so, "Just let me know when the job is done Willie, and get it done quickly."

The mouse of a man gulped paling as he found he was suddenly talking to the Don himself and nodded. "Right! Of course sir! You can count on ole Willie!"

Xander frowned, but nodded. "We'll see. Don't disappoint me Willie."

He then walked over to the card game. "Scottie, any news?"

"Ah Padrone," The goblin said, greeting him with a smile. "I've heard whispering lately in the wind. Someone snuck their way into the country by sneaking onto the landing gear of a plane. By the description I've acquired it's a human female, dark skinned, hair done in braidings, with inhuman level strength, speed and finesse."

"That sounds like a… Fuck!" Xander swore. 'Open chat to all Famigila.'

[Protag/9: Everyone we've got a potential slayer heading our way. This is not a drill. All hands to battlestations we are currently at defcon yellow pending red.]

[Illmaterist/8: Oh shit! There's another one besides Buffy? She's bad enough.]

[KaklingWych/12: I thought there could only be one at a time?]

[Gnarly1/17: What is this?]

[Treehugger/15: It seems to be some form of mass telepathic communication.]

[WizzingZiz/13: Can set the new Slayer on fire? FIIIIRE! Burn baby burn!]

Padrino/9: No Ziz you can't. As for why there's more than one… Buffy did die temporarily last year…]

[Illmaterist/8: She did?]

[Padrino/9: She got better, thanks to me, and all credit given to Angel.]

[KaklingWych/12: There there Xander.]

[StealerofMummysJewlery/21: This will be very useful for passing along information to you Xander. Also it was Dry Lich not a Mummy, big difference.]

"System correcting lore error. StealerofLichJewelery now accepted chat name."

[StealerofLichJewelry/21: Thank you mister DM.]

[JanusDMAdmin: You're Welcome.]

[Padrino/9: Janus?! WTF? How're you on here!]

[Illmaterist/8: Ditto!]

[KaklingWych/12: Why wouldn't he be? He's the DM and the Admin of the entire gaming system. I'm even curious as to how long he's been here though.]

JanusDMAdmin has left the chat.

[Padrino/9: He just ghosted us!]

[Illmaterist/8: He just wants to troll us/let us know he's watching probably.]

[KaklingWych/12: More than likely Jonathan… Oh sorry, Illmaterist is correct. But putting Janus aside for the moment, what're we going to do about this possible new Slayer?]

[Padrino/9: We'll take a wait and see attitude. For now, we have Andrew to worry about. Illmaterist, is he coming by?]

[Illmaterist/8: Roger that Padrino. Told him I wanted to introduce him to my new DnD group. Lol.]

[KaklingWych/12: Well, you're not lying, technically speaking. We are a DnD group. I'll make pizza for dinner, how's that sound?]

[Gnarly1/17: Delicious! When should we come over?]

[TreeHugger/15: Yes, I'd like to help with preparation if needed.]

[KaklingWych/12: Well if everyone's coming over I'll need to go shopping first… also WizzingZiz better behave himself.]

[CrimsonCayPup/6: He funkin' will, or I'll turn 'em into a chew toy Mum. Ya got ma' word on that.]

[WizzingZiz: Ziz will be good! He promises! Just keep Doggie away!]

[Padrino/9: Alright, alright that's enough everyone. Jan, go shopping and let Sylva know when you're done so she can help with cooking, I'm heading home now with Scottie. Gnarl, you're on Ziz Watch tonight.]

[Gnarly1: Understood sir.]

Exiting out of chat he turned to Scottie who was collecting his winnings in the form of kittens in a cardboard box. "Scottie, whaddya do with those kittens anyway?"

"I'm creating a small army sir." Scottie replied as he walked.

Xander gave him a sideways look as he walked. "An army… of kittens?"

"As an investigator, I have access to alchemical potions… polymorph is quite useful."

Xander blinked. "Scottie… you're a scary bastard you know that?"

The genteel goblin just grinned, "Why thank you sir."

They finished the walk in silence.

~FotP~

When the human and the Goblin made their way up to the house Xander was almost knocked on his ass by an excited Cavall. "Alpha! Alpha! Mum's cooking something grand, also one of them damn Gob's is in the kitchen with her!" He stopped when he noticed Scottie. "Why're they here Alpha?"

"They're part of the team Cavall, you're gonna have to accept it buddy," Xander said as he patted Cavall's head comfortingly. "Besides, the only one you kinda sorta need to worry about is Ziz… keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't pull any pranks and we'll be fine kay?"

Too damn right Ah will!" The dog said smartly. "Ah don't trust the winged rat," He narrowed his eyes and bared his fangs at Scottie as he growled, "Or any of his associates either," He then sniffed the air and asked, "Why the fooks he smell like a litter a fookin' cats?! As if I dinay have enough reason not to trust em already."

"Good dog," Scottie said, reaching out and scratching Cavall behind the ears.

"I you… you annoyin' fucker… How dare you touch me… Damn you… keep… keep scratchin'! Right there, right there, Ahh, just like that!" Cavall whined piteously by the end.

Xander just shook his head and walked past them, ignoring the living room and going right into the kitchen where Sylva and Janna were making pizza from scratch. Janna rolled out the dough, while Sylva applied sauce and toppings which included three different kinds of meat and peppers to the top along with a hearty dose of mozzarella.

"Ladies," Xander said by way of greeting.

"Xander, I'm only going to say this once… if I ever catch you using the party chat to cheat on a test you'll be in hot water with me."

"So homework is fine then?" He asked for clarification.

Janna rolled her eyes. "As long as it's not something that will be checked for plagiarism I suppose it doesn't matter."

The teen pumped a fist. "I'll count this as a win against the tyranny that is public the schooling of Sunnydale High."

The doorbell rang and Xander went to answer it leaving his grinning guardian behind him. He found Jonathan waiting on the stoop with what Xander would best describe as a lanky blonde-haired pretty boy. He looked like someone who could be a backup dancer for NSync. Wearing a long sleeve shirt under a short sleeved shirt, black skinny jeans, and sneakers.

"Jonathan, this Andrew?" He asked after a moment.

"In the flesh," He held out a hand, "Andrew Wells, Jonathan… hasn't told me much honestly, but it's nice to meet you."

Xander took his arm and gave it a shake. 'Don't judge a book by it's cover I suppose,' He managed a smile. "Hi Andrew. I'm Xander."

The Don smiled disarmingly. "Sorry about that. I'm… very private, and don't tell just anyone about my life. I hope you understand."

Andrew nodded. "I get it man, some people are just like that."

Jonathan and Xander shared a look that said 'He has no idea.' Xander chuckled. "Right, well c'mon in. Dinner should be ready in thirty or so. Hope you like pizza."

"Who doesn't?" Andrew said as he looked around the living room at the wooden floors and leather furniture, and wall mounted television. "Nice place your parents have good taste Harris."

Xander gave an awkward chuckle. "Thanks, but I've been living with a legal guardian for the past couple of weeks."

Andrew looked surprised. "Oh really? Who-" He did a good goldfish impression when his computer teacher walked out of the kitchen.

"Hello Jonathan, Andrew, nice of you to come by on short notice," She said with a disarming smile.

Andrew blinked, and gave his head a light shake. "Miss Calendar? Xander is staying with you?"

"Yes Andrew it's… complicated. I'd rather not go into it if it's all the same to you?" She requested as she glanced at Xander.

Andrew looked his way too and saw he was stony-faced, squeezing his hands so hard they were turning pale. He nodded rapidly getting the message. "Y-Yeah no problem! So~ pizza huh?"

Janna nodded. "Yes but it'll be a while yet. We just finished putting them into the oven. Xander why don't you let Andrew know the rules of how we play while I watch the food? Make sure nothing burns?" She said as she gave her ward a pointed look.

Her ward gave a mock salute. "Yes ma'am," Xander replied before he made his way to the long dining room table and sat down. He motioned for Andrew to sit down across from him before he folded his hands in front of him. "So Andrew, when you play DnD what did you main?"

"I was an Archivist, not the Bard subclass from three point five, but the full class from Heroes of Horror." Andrew replied quickly, "It's much, much more versatile."

The Padrone nodded slowly, "I think I remember that class? It was a cleric who could cast sorcerer spells right?"

Andrew waved his hand in a 'kinda sorta' motion. "Yes and no. While they get cleric spells, they aren't limited by any specific deity. They can get them anywhere from books, ancient ruins, even what they happened to be fighting. Archivists can also call upon their dark knowledge to point out the weaknesses of foes and even predict the future with their foreknowledge skill."

"Cool sounds useful," Xander said after a moment of silence. "Okay then now we've got something of an… initiation you need to pass before you can join our group."

Andrew shrugged. "Okay, what do I gotta do?"

In response, Xander whistled sharply, calling, "Sylva, could you come here for a minute please?"

"Of course sirrah," a slightly raspy voice replied.

The kitchen door opened and Andrew's eyes widened as what he thought was an actual Goblin walked out. She was wearing a veil over her lower face but the eyes, the ears, even the gait was spot on. He stared at her for a moment, she stared back. Then he turned to Xander. "You're punking me right? This is just someone in elaborately done cosplay?"

"Cos Play?" Sylva echoed in questioning fashion.

"It's a thing where people dress up as monsters when it's not Halloween."

Sylva nodded. "Ah. Clever," She then shook her head, "No not cosplay. See?" she ran a clawed finger down her palm drawing blood.

"S-She's a real goblin… isn't she?" Andrew asked when he didn't see any makeup running with the blood.

"Yes," Xander said, taking control of the conversation, "Now comes the question. Send party invite, Andrew Wells."

"What the hell does that…" He blinked when he saw the blue screen pop up in front of him. "Oh… holy shit… you serious?"

"Very but if you click yes, this is a for life commitment man," Xander explained. "So don't click yes unless you're ready for the long haul."

Andrew looked at the screen, then at Xander. "I've just got one question. Sylva, does she serve the Goblin pantheon?"

"Ask her yourself. She's right there," Xander replied.

Andrew turned to her. "Well, do you?"

Sylva shook her head. "No, none of us do."

"Us, as in more than one?" Andrew asked.

"There are five of them that Andrew and I rescued from a goblin horde that had somehow appeared beneath Sunnydale. Do you remember that explosion that happened on mainstreet last week?"

"Yeah, who could forget? The whole school shook and everyone…" Andrew's eyes widened in realization when he saw Xander grinning. "You?!"

"I decided the easiest way to take out fifty plus goblins, a dozen worgs, two hobgoblins, and a bugbear chieftain was to not fight them but let them destroy themselves with just a bit of misinformation of course."

Andrew didn't do anything for a moment, then he started clapping. "Bravo! Bravo sir!"

Xander gave the best hammiest bow he could from his sitting position. "Thanks, anyway are you in? You'll start automatically at level one and actual gold drops are a thing… but double EXP needed to level up is also a thing, in this city anyway."

"Hmm, well that sucks. Some kind of regional debuff?" Andrew asked.

"Yes actually. Being on a portal to hell does that to good people," Xander confirmed.

Andrew became morose. "Portal to hell eh? That explains so much. I assume if I die, I won't be tearing up a character sheet will I?"

Xander shook his head solemnly. "No, you get one life and it's yours. Unless we get strong enough to pull off reincarnate or Resurrection once you die, you're staying dead. So, knowing that-'' Xander didn't get to finish as Andrew hit accept on his screen.

"Andrew Wells Level One Archivist has Joined the party!"

"Well okay then," Xander said flatly. "Johnny, show Andy the ropes I've got to decide what we're doing tonight."

"Isn't Miss Calendar our Guild leader?" Andrew asked.

"No, she's one of the Consiglieres to the Padrone who is Xander," Jonathan replied, "I'm a Caporegime, a lieutenant. Can Andrew be a Caporegime too Xander?"

Xander stood up. "Let's wait and see how he does in his first dungeon before we decide his place in the famiglia Johnny. Besides, Sylva and Gnarl have seniority."

"You got it Don."

Andrew looked back and forth between them. "Wait, you guys are a Mob outfit?"

"Oops, did we forget to mention that?" Xander said, smiling coyly as he made his way to the front door where a light urgent knocking was taking place.

He opened the door to see Gnarl, Ziz, and Doug whom he didn't expect to see. "Hey Gnarl, Ziz. Doug I didn't expect to see you here, not that I'm complaining."

"I-I found diamonds sir!" Doug said excitedly before becoming downtrodden. "But my pickaxe broke."

Xander smiled at the goblin and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry buddy. We're working on getting you a new pickaxe," He clapped him twice on the shoulder. "We're having pizza to go with our war meeting."

~FotP~

After a hearty meal of homemade pizza, the famiglia set off on foot, guided by the map feature in Xander's journal back to all places, the Calax Building, or more precisely the area behind it. There they found stone steps carved in the earth. The hole they led down into was only large enough for one person to go down at a time and torches sat in sconces along the walls casting the hard packed earth walls in a harsh relief. Soon enough a damp breeze met Xander's nose and he silently called for a halt by raising a fist. "Something smells like wet earth."

"Xander, we're who knows how far underground. I'd be more surprised if it didn't smell like wet dirt down here," Janna commented.

The Ranger shook his head, "It's not the smell, it's the fact that there's a breeze Jan. Meaning somehow, someone is getting air down here."

"Right so… we going or…?" Andrew questioned after a moment of silence.

Xander glanced back, "Patience Andrew. This isn't a game. This is real life… with game mechanics. Everyone hang back, Cavall and I are gonna scout ahead."

The ranger and the celestial hound crept forwards both moving like ghosts into the gloom. Eventually, they came to, of all things, a mineshaft. Not wanting to give away his position just in case he signaled to the others via party chat feature.

[Xander Everyone: I've found the entrance to a mine, I am going to look for traps. Feel free to advance.]

He did just that too, carefully sweeping the entrance and the interior for possible tripwires, pressure plates, or similar mechanisms that might set off something nasty that could kill a level one player. He didn't want anyone else's death on his conscience when he could've prevented them. He didn't want another Jessie. So he searched diligently. Due diligence paid off as he found two tripwires, and a pressure plate. He disarmed the tripwires after passing the DC check and lacking the skill to disarm the pressure plate, he did the next obvious thing.

He picked up a rock, and threw it at it from a safe distance. It caused a small bunch of human head sized boulders to fall from a hidden alcove.

[X2 traps disarmed +50 EXP!]

'Well it's nice to know I get exp for disarming traps,' Xander thought as Cavall nudged his hand with his nose and pointed up ahead.

Moving quietly in the dark, Xander drew the bow off of his back and nocked an arrow as he crept forward, pulling the bow to a full draw as he went. Much to his surprise, he found a small earth elemental. It was four feet tall, humanoid in shape, and made of muddy brown rock.

Xander squinted at it slightly and got its level. [Small Earth Elemental, Lv.4, CR 1]

The ranger wondered why the elemental hadn't detected him yet, as he should be in the range of its tremorsense, then he recalled, 'I chose darkstalker on my last level up! It makes me immune to tremor and blindsense! Convenient.'

With a smile on his face, Xander loosened his arrow. It hit home with an audible thud, and the elemental collapsed into a heap of earth.

"+1200 EXP!"

"Well, these guys are worth a lot of experience at least."

"Dude, starting without us? Not cool," Andrew said walking up behind him and speaking at a normal tone which might as well have been him screaming into a megaphone seeing as they were in a damn mineshaft at the moment.

Xander rounded on him with fury in his eyes. "Be quiet!" He hissed. "There is likely more than one of those things around here! Are you trying to drag them all right to us?!"

Andrew backpedaled, holding his hands up defensively then spoke much more quietly, "Hey sorry man, I was just saying."

Xander sighed and would've rubbed his eyes if he didn't have his hands full with holding his bow at the moment. "I'm only going to say this one more time Andrew… This is not a game. This is serious, dangerous business going into a dungeon. So if you can't hack it, say so now and go guard the entrance."

"It's fine man... " Andrew replied glumly after a moment, making sure to measure his steps to reduce the sounds he made.

"But?" The Ranger questioned.

Andrew ran a hand through his hair awkwardly. "Well, um no offense man, but I don't really get why we're following you and not Miss Calendar? I mean she is the teacher here and has more experience than all three of us combined, both in real life and in actual levels."

Xander was silent for a moment before letting out a long suffering sigh. "Janna, do you wanna handle this or should I?"

"I've got it," The Rom replied, before turning to the blonde and explaining gently. "We follow Xander, Andrew because while I have more experience in magical matters, and matters of the world, when it comes to fighting monsters and other such creatures that far outstrip mankind, Xander has seniority. He has for the past year been fighting everything from vampires to demons with nothing but his wits and anger. Until now, he's had nothing to show for it. No offense Xander."

The Ranger-Fighter gestalt shook his head. "None taken. It's a thankless job but someone's gotta do it. Now, I've seen one Small Earth Elemental so far. It was level four with one Challenge Rating."

"What about its health?" Jonathan asked.

Xander shrugged. "Couldn't see its health or anything else like that. Maybe I can see things like that once I level up perception more? Things like health, status effects and stuff."

"Maybe we should stay away from the walls? Since, you know, Earth Elementals have earth glide?" Andrew suggested as he looked around furtively, like he could get jumped at any second.

"True, but it's a bit redundant when we're in a mineshaft. They could come out of the walls, ceiling, floor… shit! We need to be extra careful guys. I'm gonna continue to scout ahead though I've got a feeling I'm not gonna find anything…"

Xander's feeling proved correct. No matter how high his Hide skill was, he couldn't find a single Elemental… and that scared him shitless. 'They're here, I know they are, and just because they can't sense 'me', doesn't mean they can't sense the others.' He was trying to think of a plan. 'Okay I need to lure them out, somehow but how? What would Buffy d-' He quickly killed that thought. 'Buffy would just keep swinging at it till it's dead. 'I' can't do that. Okay, okay… what would Willow do?' He had a sudden spine chilling thought. 'Just because they can't see me doesn't mean they can't detect the others!'

With that thought in mind, he raced back to the others, as fear gnawed at his belly. When he arrived he found the others in a pitched battle between two whole swarms of small earth elementals dozen small elementals, twenty-six in all. Janna was holding them all off with well placed hexes while Jonathan seemed to have amplified his strength with magic as he was smashing the skulls of the elementals in with his morningstar, pulverizing their stone heads into dust. Xander leaped into the fray, his knives flashing slivers of silver as he struck out at the earth elementals from their exposed rear flank. Hacking, slashing, and once they noticed him, and started using their ability to shift the earth to toss him around like he was in an earthen bounce house.

First he hit the walls, the ceiling, before face planting into the floor. Before he could even think about getting up, Xander felt himself being flung into the wall behind him once again. 'That… didn't hurt as much as I thought it would,' He thought as he landed back first against the stone, feeling a bit dazed, but not in a lot of pain.

'HP.' he thought.

[175/190] A popup informed him.

Xander blinked in surprise. 'That's not much… Wait! I have damage reduction from the Survivor class!' With a savage grin splitting his face, Xander threw himself back into the frey, noticing quickly that Jonathan grabbed the attention of the elementals giving him a chance to recover. Stone heads were turned into so much granulated powder under the weight of his mace. While Jonathan focused on the small fry, Xander fixed his attention on the fewer larger than average Earth elementals that were seeded throughout the group. He peered at them and his perception told him, [Medium, Earth Elemental CR 3].

It was eight foot tall, made of stone, from pebbles, to stones and boulders and packed earth, with two gleaming emeralds for eyes and its thick arms ended in claws formed out of stalagmites. There were three of them in all, and along with the smaller ones, hassling the rest of his party, Janna or no, they were getting penned in.

'Time to go to work,' Xander thought, sorely wishing the team had a tank as he charged towards the nearest medium sized earth elemental scampering up its back he proceeded to stab it in the head with both of his silver knives as the great mobile monolith did everything in its power to get it off of him. Everything short of doing the smart thing and melding into the surrounding stone of course. By the third pair of strikes, the elemental fell, and he repeated the process on the second one. The last actually had some semblance of a brain in its earthen skull as by the second hit, it sunk into the floor, and using the Cloak of Stone Xander followed right with him and kept attacking as he did so. Suddenly, he and the Earth Elemental fell through the roof of a cave full of luminescent crystals, the pale light filling the cavern with an eerie glow. Xander hardly paid it any mind as he plunged his silver knives into the skull of the denizen of the Plane of Earth. It gave out a groan like rocks grinding together before it collapsed into a heap, stone dead.

Pulling himself out of the mound of dirt, Xander coughed a bit and noticed an item sack sitting pristinely on top of the rubble. Swiping it, he received the following popup.

[You received two Emeralds worth 10,000 gold.]

Xander looked around. There was a steady dripping of water coming from the stalactites, and even a small shallow stream was running to the… he wasn't sure what direction he was facing at the moment. On a hunch he thought 'Compass.'

[Due East]

He nodded and followed the flowing stream. As he did so, he used perception on the glowing crystals trying to see what they were.

[Deep Crystal, 30hp, Hardness 10. Psionically conductive.]

Interested, he took out his silver knives and used them to pry the crystals behind him off the walls, adding them to his inventory as he walked near silently down the path. Turning round the bend, he noticed clumps of mushrooms. He had no idea what they could be, but decided to use survival on them and see what happened.

[Check of 15 passed: You know the mushrooms are poisonous and if ingested will sicken you. You think if boiled, you or one of your party members could make a poison out of this fungus.]

'Okay then gonna pick some of these and have Janna do something with them later,' He thought as he bent down and started cutting off some of the fungi, stowing them away in his inventory. As he made his way further down the path still following the stream, Xander noticed the light of a fire coming around the next bend in the stream. He immediately went down into a crouch and crept as close as he dared before peeking behind the rockface.

There, standing in front of a bonfire and flanked by a pair of tarantulas the size of Great Danes, covered in chitinous exoskeleton and spiky tufts of brown fur with their eyes gleaming and mandibles clicking, was an elf. She had bronze skin, long white hair held back out of her face by a twining rope of gold that criss crossed her locks like a spider's web and where each strand intersected a gem was faceted. Her eyes were full lilac in color and she wore a black breastplate over her chest that was gilded in gold, again in a spider web motif. Around her waist was a thick belt that had a silken purple tabard falling from it, and she had simple studded leather breeches and boots on her feet. On her arms were a pair of black metal gauntlets, and in her hand was what looked to be a morningstar.

Xander knew a drow when he saw one, he just wondered what a Cleric of Lolth was doing here. 'Then again, I could… should seriously be asking that of myself,' Xander thought as he pulled his bow off of his back and readied a couple of arrows. His first instinct was to double tap the drow from stealth but then he noticed something he'd overlooked.

Hunched over on her shoulder, covered in green leathery, wart dotted skin. It's limbs were long, gangly, and ended in sharp ebon black talons. It had a pair of long spiral horns coming out of its head like an impala, adding half again to its of a meter/two foot size and it couldn't have weighed more than eight pounds or three point six kilos.

Xander recognized it as a Quasit. The lowest of all Demons next to the Manes the husks of chaotic evil souls. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor, Xander instead adjusted the aim on his bow. With an almost silent *twang* the arrows released striking both of the giant tarantulas right between their multitude of eyes. Where they crumpled into multi legged heaps.

Her lilac eyes narrowing the drow priestess locked her gaze on the darkness past the fire and made out a human heat signature. Knowing the gig was up, Xander stepped out from behind the rock his bow discarded, his long hunting knives drawn and ready for combat. The two combatants circled each other as they looked for a moment to strike. While Xander was content with silently studying his foe, she had taken to taunting him. Her voice sounded like silk wrapped in steel to his ears.

"Surrender now human and I'll make you my personal masseuse. You'll be allowed to touch my nude body… after I blind, deafen, and render you mute of course."

"I'll pass thanks," Xander replied, his tone flat biting back a curse as he saw the priestess cast a spell on herself before leaping through the flames, hoping to catch her off guard before she could complete the second incantation.

It was not to be however, for she deftly moved out of the way of his lunge, before striking at his unprotected back. The blow from the macehead sent him flying as pain arced through his spine. 'Okay, that fucking hurt, and she's strongrt and faster than any Drow has a right to be. Must've used Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace. Fuck me.'

The fight continued to go one-sidedly from there, the flanges of the mace bit deeply into his leather armor, quickly rendering it into tatters. The only thing keeping Xander alive was his Improved Evasion skill combined with his damage reduction, and even then getting hit by a mace hurt. Even so, he was taking less than half damage from every blow that did manage to land, even if he was fairly sure a couple of his ribs had been broken regardless. The biggest benefit this gave him though was that it let him think of a plan as he continued to try and stay alive. Taking a blow to the chin had Xander tasting blood and seeing stars as well as the stalactites on the ceiling which gave him a sudden burst of inspiration, as he rolled to the side to avoid having his head caved in.

Flipping to his feet, Xander beat a hasty retreat back to where he'd left his bow. Just as he was about to reach it, the Quasit landed on his weapon grinning at him menacingly. However Quasits were cruel creatures but not particularly smart. Xander rose to his full height and punted the small green demon across the cavern smacking the drow priestess right in the head in the process.

Picking up his bow, he muttered a quick spell as he aimed four of his arrows at the ceiling. "Leaden blades."

Letting the arrows fly, they struck the ceiling with enough force to cause a rumbling in the ceiling before the stalactites started to fall like oversized lethal hail, taking the ceiling of the cave down with it.

"Damn you!" The Drow priestess screeched as the ceiling caved in on her, while Xander activated his cloak for the second and final time that day, sinking into the ground to save himself from impending death. Once the earth above him ceased its vibrating, Xander moved upwards. Breaking the surface of what was once a cave but was now a mound of rubble, he found himself face to kneecap with an Elder Earth Elemental!

"Oh fuck me!" the Gestalt adventurer swore as he dived out of the way as a fist made out of who knows how many tons of earth came down on him trying to crush him flat. It missed, kicking up a plume of dirt, and debris. Xander looked around for a weapon, any kind of weapon he could use to defend himself. He noticed light from some of the few remaining crystals gleaming off of something half buried in the rubble. He raced towards it as the Earth Elemental swung around blindly for him. 'Thank god for Darkstalker,' Xander thought as he grabbed the handle and pulled.

It was the mace of the Drow for sure. It was made of Cold Iron, long dark and twisted looking with a spider motif, including serrations on the eight flanges on the mace head. Perfect for a Drow really. He tested its weight in one hand, it was remarkably light for such a top heavy weapon. Feeling more secure with a weapon in hand, Xander marched up to the Elder Earth Elemental before seeing something too good to pass up. He proceeded to climb the rocky outcropping just to the left of the extraplanar entity. Upon reaching the summit, Xander backed off before taking a running leap at the colossal elemental, swinging the pilfered mace at what passed for its head as he soared through the air, using leaden blades as a warcry as he did so.

As his blow connected the Elemental let out a groan of pain before it collapsed in a heap, causing the gestalt hero to cry out in surprise as he fell into the newly formed hill of stone and earth.

"Shiitt! Oh god, I think I landed on my liver!" Xander cried as he rolled in the dirt in pain. If he wasn't sure if he had broken ribs before, he was now. Gasping for a moment, he ground out through the pain, "Health?"

[25/190]

'Okay yeah, I'm pretty banged up,' Xander thought to himself as he stared up at the top of the sinkhole he created. "I wonder where the others are?"

"Xander, is that you man?" The voice of someone familiar called down, it was distorted by the echo but it sounded like. "Jonathan? That you man?" Xander called back hopefully.

"Dude! That is you! You okay?" Jonathan called down. "Stupid question seeing as you're just laying there. Okay hang on man and keep talking to me okay? What the hell did you do man?"

"Fought a Drow Priestess. Couldn't beat her, so I dropped the ceiling on her," Xander replied tiredly as he watched a rope being lowered to his position. "She was probably the one responsible for all the elementals."

"Yeah probably," Jonathan replied as he made his way down the rope.

"Xander," Janna called out clearly worried, "Are you alright?"

"Couple of busted ribs but I'm otherwise fine Jan," Xander hollered back.

Then Janna jumped down the hole, he jerked up in shock, causing him to cry out in both surprise and pain, only for her to gently float down to the ground faster than Jonathan was descending the rope. She was by his side in seconds cradling his head in her hands, with a look of concern in her eyes.

'I can't remember the last time my actual mother looked at me like she is now… damn that's sad,' Xander thought to himself.

"Okay dear, hold still this shouldn't hurt," Popping the cork off a vial full of red liquid she flicked some onto Xander's face as she intoned, "Greater Celestial Healing."

Xander felt his bones knit back together and he felt weariness leave his muscles. Sighing in resigned fashion he asked, "Do I even want to know what that is?" He motioned to the vial with his head as he spoke.

"Some of Caval's blood. To use Celestial Healing one needs to anoint the target with the blood of a celestial or truely good being," Janna explained refusing to meet her adopted son's eyes, feeling she would see a squick look on his face if she did.

"Gross, useful but gross," Xander said after a moment of silence, before getting unsteadily to his feet only to have Janna support him with Jonathan coming up to his other side.

"Easy Padrino, you just took out a Drow Priestess and finished off the Elder Earth Elemental we were fighting. You sure know how to get things done," Jonathan joked.

"Yeah, I really know how to bring the house down… Is Andrew okay?"

Jonathan beamed. "He's fine man. Really showed his chops against the Elder. Started casting water spells at the thing, between that and Miss Calander's weakening hexes we were doing pretty good against the thing before the floor fell out from under it… I have no idea how you managed to solo kill it," The other boy finished in wonder as they stopped in front of the rope.

"Probably a mixture of inflicted fall damage, Leaden Blades, and likely a critical hit," Xander replied tiredly.

"Are you going to be able to make it up the rope okay Padrino?" Jonathan asked.

"I'll be fine, it's just like gym class," Xander replied as he put one hand on the rope and crossed his legs on the bottom and began shimmying his way up. He was the leader of the party, he refused to be seen as weak.

Watching him struggle his way up the rope, Jonathan and Janna shared a look before shaking their heads sharing a thought. 'So stubborn.'

Looking around, Jonathan spotted a treasure bag. Picking it up, a popup box appeared that he read.

[You found a bag containing 15 sapphires worth 75,000 gold]

Jonathan let out a shrill whistle. "Wow, better give this to Padrino when we get to the top."

"Don't you want your cut of the loot?" Janna inquired, smirking a bit.

"I'll let the boss decide who gets what," Jonathan replied with an uncaring shrug not knowing what this amount of faith did for him. "I got a buttload of EXP and I'm happy with that."

~FotP~

By the time he got to the top of the rope Xander was gasping. "See? Just like gym class, nothing to it," He panted, his brow laced with sweat as he looked at the rest of his party that had seen better days.

Sylvia had her right sleeve torn off, with her arm coated in blood from a wound that was no longer present. Gnarl was covered in dirt and missing one of his dreadlocks while his spear was bent. Ziz was cackling as usual and relieving himself on the corpse of one of the lesser elementals, while Caval kept trying to shake the dust out of his coat with Andrew standing nearby with Doug and Scottie, who was wiping off his daggers and placing them back in his coat.

"Everyone, nice to see no one died," Xander said by way of greeting with a little wave letting them know that he was glad they were alright.

"You as well Padrino," Scottie replied, making his way forward and dragging Andrew with him. "I trust Jonathan has informed you how well our new recruit has done?"

Lugging himself to his feet Xander gave Andrew a once over. "Yeah he did," Clapping the other boy on the shoulder he said, "You did good Andy, you made your bones today. Welcome to Famiglia... Officially, I mean."

"Thanks… I think?" Andrew replied slightly confused if he passed the test with flying colors or by the hem of his pants.

"Having second thoughts?" Xander inquired worried, as he didn't know what to do with someone who was, since he didn't know if this power could be taken away from someone who got cold feet.

Andrew shook his head and grinned a bit. "Nah man, this is the most fun I've had in… I can't remember when actually. I mean sure I could've died at multiple points but that just got my blood pumping even more if that makes any sense."

Giving his shoulder a squeeze Xander advised. "That's great and all Andy, but try not to become an adrenaline junkie, that could get you, and by extension us, killed."

The youngest member of the party gave a stiff nod realizing how real everything was that he just encountered, "I gotcha boss."

"Good, and it's Padrino, Soldato," Xander finished giving him a final clap on the shoulder before looking behind his new soldier and saying, "Would someone like to tell me what I'm looking at?"

It looked like the front of Castle Grayskull hewn out of solid rock, with a drawbridge made of wrought iron that was currently drawn up with a moat of molten lava flowing through it. It was fucking badass whatever it was.

"Heheh, Orog stronghold," Ziz piped up. "Big one too."

"The annoying one is correct," Gnarl mused. "The craftsmanship is most certainly of Orog make."

Xander took a moment to digest that information before he gave a wary incline of his head. "Okay so do we knock? I don't think they have a doorbell."

Slyvia piped up then. "Sir, if I may, I do believe the Orogs would be receptive to us as they were under siege by the Earth Elementals. If we make contact with them and assure them that the problem is taken care of…"

"We'll get a warm welcome. Okay then let's do that. Ziz go knock." Xander ordered.

"Umm… does Ziz have to?" The Vinayanka seemed genuinely hesitant to approach the Orog fortress, which was a first as far as Xander knew.

Xander all but ordered while pointing at the drawbridge wrought of iron,"Yes, because you're the only one who can fly, now get going."

Grumbling underneath his breath, the Vinyanka took off flying towards the moat of molten earth and catching a thermal as he did so before rapping on the metal with his stinger.

Seeing Caval's tail going a mile a minute, Xander nudged him with his foot and muttered, "What's got you so happy?"

The Caypup was quick to reply, "That flyin' rat's about to eat it, Alpha, Orogs are notorious fer hatin' anythin' demonic."

Xander gave the Caypup a cross look. "A little heads up would've been nice," Cupping his hands over his mouth he hollered, "Ziz get outta there!"

Yet the half-demon goblin had already knocked, and from slits in the rocky battlements flaming arrows were launched. Ziz flew in a zigzag pattern to avoid the flaming bolts, and managed to avoid most of them yet one clipped in the arm setting his jacket on fire. Not that it mattered much as Ziz was fireproof.

Yet the Vinyanka hurried back to the group, while patting the flame out flames with his opposite arm. Xander asked worriedly, "You alright Ziz?"

"Ziz is fine, just annoyed that his jacket got burned is all," He looked at Xander curiously, his head cocked to the side as he asked. "Why does Xander care about Ziz?"

"Your part of the team buddy," Xander said solemnly, "It's my job to look out for everyone." He smiled a bit. "Even the crazy ones."

"Xander is weird," Ziz said at last and with a wistful expression on his demonic face. "Kind, but weird."

Xander laughed a bit. "Well thanks," He faced Castle Grayskull, squaring his shoulders as he did so. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna have a chat with our new neighbors." He marched forward with purpose, his Spiderman-like danger sense as the flaming arrows came flying in his direction going off in the back of his head, giving him ample time to dodge out of the way. Once he got to the edge of the moat, he cupped his hands over his mouth and called out, "This is not the warm welcome we were expecting for getting rid of your Elemental problem guys!"

Suddenly, the arrows stopped flying and for a time, there was a tense silence in the air. One that Xander felt could've been broken if someone made the wrong move. So he held up a fist making sure his companions knew not to move until he gave the signal. He also told them to wait via party chat just to be sure. The silence was broken by the clink of thick iron chains as the solid iron drawbridge was slowly lowered across the molten moat. The hunk of metal came to rest in front of the gestalt class warrior with an audible thud and soon after came the sound of many thundering feet.

'Holy shit they're big,' Xander thought to himself at the sure size of the warriors before him.

For half a dozen orogs each standing at 6'6/198cm or higher, clad in roughly beaten iron armor that while not pretty, certainly looked functional. The largest of the bunch, who looked to be nearing seven feet, and balancing a spear on his shoulder, stopped in front of Xander, and spoke in rough English. The giant tusks jutting out of the bottom of his mouth. "Ooman, in the name of Gruumsh and by word o the shaman, I bid oo' welcome to Grayskull Keep. Oo and 'oors are welcome 'ear." The Orog ground out before turning around and heading back the way he came. "Follow an' keep the winged on short tether."

[Padrino/9: Okay everyone we're being invited inside. Tread carefully, and Gnarl, you're on Ziz watch.]

[Gnarly1/17: Understood sir. Ziz behave or I'll end up cooking you over a spit.]

[Whizzing Ziz/13: Ziz will be good. Doesn't want to get shot again, no he doesn't! Oh no he does not!]

~FotP~

As the Party advanced into the stronghold, they noticed it was dotted with small huts of stone that were topped with cave moss. The sound of hammers hitting steel could be heard and Xander spied many forges in the distance where some Orogs were working their craft while dwarves with skin the color of stone pumped at the bellows, wearing nothing but loincloths.

"Slaves!" Jonathan hissed in disgust.

Xander shot him a private message to make sure he kept his cool.

[Padrino/9:Cool it Johnny, we're on their turf and we don't know the specifics.]

[Illmaterist/8: Fine Padrino but I'm going on record saying I don't like this.]

[Padrino/9: Noted. Now please don't get us killed Johnny.]

They carried on in silence until they came to a stone hewn longhouse, whose exterior was decorated with the skulls of various defeated adversaries. Xander noted some humans mixed in with Drow, and Ithilid skulls. The female orc out front saluted by slamming her spear butt into the ground thrice as they approached. She had a chiseled if curvaceous figure, grey skin, with two small tusks poking out of her full lips, her hair was a muddy dark brown and kept in dreadlocks while her attire consisted of a half plate bra, fur loincloth, leather pauldrons, armguards, boots, and was complemented by a necklace and jewelry made out of bone.

The orc leading them growled in anger before moving forward and striking the woman across the face with a meaty slap. "Whelp!" He roared. "Told ya ta stay wit da Ead Shaman! Lost the Chieftain already! Can't lose 'er too!"

The guard, her lip bloodied, glared back defiantly, "Was sent out here by the head shaman, Da to tell ya the Chief died from poisoning."

Their guide grumbled under his breath, "Nevva shoulda trusted knife ear," He then bristled again and raised his hand for another slap. "You call me Chief Toggui, Whelp!"

This time Xander intervened. Taking the mace from Johnathan's belt, he interposed it between Tog's fist and the woman's face. Just blocking the blow sent him stumbling a bit at the sheer might of the orog warrior.

Tog glared at Xander. "Ooman, no interfere."

The door to the longhouse was suddenly flung open and a she-orc with long silver hair and a few wrinkles on her face snarled, "Human have more brains in his head than you, Toggui gro-Shoggra! You have stones for brains! If you leave Shellur alone for two stabs of Grummesh's spear, she could have told you rest of message!"

"She also wants to see the leader of the humans," the now named Shellur said, smirking despite her bloodied lip.

"That would be me, ma'am," Xander replied respectfully wordlessly handing Jonathan back his mace. Jonathan then began the process of cleaning it of blood.

"Human polite… that get you killed here," The Shaman said, turning around and marching back into the longhouse. "Come! Shumma gro-Shoggra welcomes you!" She shouted when she didn't hear his footsteps behind her.

Xander entered the longhouse and found it covered in animal pelts. Bugbears mostly, but he also noticed normal bears, and even the frosty white scale hide of a frost dragon decorating the back wall. There, sitting on a throne made of mammoth tusks and hide, was a dead Orog. His tongue was swollen, black, and lolling out of his mouth, while his eyes were rolled back over his head and the veins on his face were bulging and blackened. Whatever did this, hadn't killed him quickly.

Scanning the room, the ranger quickly found the culprit. It was a spider, about the size of a small dog, curled up dead in the corner. Seemingly flattened with a stone fruit bowl, the contents of which were scattered all about the stone floor. "He trusted the Drow didn't he?"

"Yes, the fool. Drow came in the name of peace, she said." Shumma then spat to the side in disgust. "She was a liar but a good one. Came with precious gems and slaves to work our forges, and weapons though ours were better," She smirked at that, for Orog craftsmanship was well known. She looked at her deceased chieftain, shook her head and continued. "My son Shollock trusted snake and was surprised when he got bit. Now, gro-Shoggra Tribe is in more danger than ever…" Shumma turned her head and looked at him shrewdly, "Or maybe not. Depends on you, human."

Now Xander felt like he was being led into a well placed trap and decided to tread warily. "Me, how can I help ma'am?" He inquired while pointing at himself.

Shumma chuckled. "Human polite, that'll get you killed, as I said earlier…" She paused before continuing, "Human is also strong however. Strong enough to strike a killing blow on ancient Earth Elemental and smart enough to out think that treacherous Drow."

"You were watching," Xander noted.

"Through crystal ball, yes." The Shaman confirmed. "Saw your actions… that of a good chief."

Now it all made sense to him even if it took her all but spelling it out to him. Holding up his hands, he tried to dissuade her, "Now hold on a second here, I don't think I'm orc tribe chief material."

"I disagree. My grandson Toggia isn't. He have rocks for brains, as I said. He would run tribe into ground and early grave." Shumma turned to face him. "Tell me human, that woman following you, she your first wife?"

Blinking, Xander gave his head a shake after he realized the shaman was referring to Janna. "Um no she is my adoptive mother… my group's shaman I guess?"

"Fellow shaman good," Shumma nodded. "You make good mate for Shuller. She make good first wife for you and give you many children. She only good thing Toggia has done for tribe."

"Ma'am with all due respect I don't want to marry your great granddaughter or become chief of your tribe," Xander said with a bit of force.

Shumma sighed, "If you don't human… What is your name?"

"Xan… Alexander, but I prefer Xander," The Gamer said after a moment. He didn't know why he told her his full name but it felt right at the moment.

"A good name. Alexander, if you do not do this, our tribe will be led to its destruction by my grandson. Toggai has sworn revenge against the Drow and has roused many of the younger warriors of our tribe to his cause. Yet this is a fight we cannot win. If he becomes chief, we will all end up dead or in chains. You must do this, you have done more for the tribe than he has in his lifetime, you're the only one who can challenge his claim to chiefship," She fixed him with a hard glare. "Will you, knowingly let us march to our deaths when you could've done something?"

Xander bit down hard on his lower lip, almost to the point of drawing blood. "Fffuuuck!" He swore out. "If you'd been a clan of vampires I'd have had no problem saying hell yes!" Xander continued to rant, "I only came down here for a pickaxe, not to become leader of an orc tribe!"

"Pickaxe, an old one is in chest behind throne. Feel free to take," Shumma said. "Shollock took it from giant he slew… but will you become chieftain?"

"Against my better judgement, yes! Mostly because you're right about me. I can't leave people in trouble if they need help. As long as they aren't vamps anyway."

[New Title Gained! Tribe Chief!: Grants you +2 to Charisma and +5 to intimidate checks when talking to Orcs. Additionally you can order the Orogs of the gro-Shoggra tribe to do things like forge armor and weapons, guard places, and other things.]

"Yippie." Xander said under his breath as he made his way to the chest.

[Items gained! Ancient Pickaxe Quest item. Wandering Scholar's Armor, Spear, Shaman's Half Plate, Boar Spear, and a bag containing 6,000 gold.]

Then another popup appeared. [Party Splitting: I know, I know! The first rule of forming a party is to never split the party, but in this case, it's necessary. Parties consist of groups of four and your party now consists of eight combat capable people. Pick who will be in your party and who will lead the second party. All gained EXP and treasure will be shared across all parties, but this allows other parties to accomplish other tasks at the same time or for Raids to be done by multiple parties working in tandem.]

A screen with all their faces appeared and Xander with but a thought picked himself, Janna, Andrew, and Jonathan, for one party and put the Goblins and Shellur in their own group. He turned to Shumma and asked, "So how're we gonna handle this chief thing?"

"Bluntly. No Subtlety. Follow." Shumma replied as she made her way out of the longhouse. Gut twisting in knots, and getting a bad feeling about this, Xander followed in her wake.

~FotP~

"Alexander is new Chief!" Shumma proclaimed to the tribe. This proclamation was met with grunts and over all of that a howl of rage from Toggia.

"No Hooman can be Orog Chief he no Orog!" Toggai raged, stomping forwards, drawing his wickedly curved and sharp spear as he did so as a dozen or so young warriors howled in agreement, only for the older Orogs to firmly stand the ground, their spears firmly pointing forwards, stopping his advance.

"Orogs follow the strongest!" Shumma proclaimed loudly. "Alexander defeated Elder Earth Spirit, and dealt with treacherous Drow wench as well, avenging former chief!" She pointed an accusing finger at her grandson, "Can you claim greater feats, Toggai gro-Shoggra?!"

The Orog ground his teeth in frustration, "Then we leave!" He declared. "All warriors leave and we take our wives with us! Form own tribe!"

"Go right ahead," Xander spoke for the first time, and with authority. "Just know that you and anyone who leaves with you Toggai, will be banished from the tribe once they leave, forbidden from ever returning. Also the women don't need to leave if they don't want to. All they have to do is speak up."

"I like the new Chief already. Treats women right!" Shellur called from the line of spearmen, a smirk on her face, the blood having long since dried.

Toggai stomped towards her, "You no stay with new chief, you coming with me! Form new tribe! Make whelps and bolster ranks." A cheer went up by the young warriors when he said that.

"No! I want to stay here!" Shellur replied, backing towards the spearline while looking towards Xander pleadingly.

A bolt of lightning struck the ground between the two, scorching the ground between them, and all looked to Shumma who cast the spell. She glared at her grandson saying, "You attempt to steal the first wife of the new chief? That is a crime punishable by death, Toggai. I suggest you take banishment and flee while you still can."

Shellur pointed at herself, surprised. "Me?"

Xander, who was hoping to keep that bit underwraps nodded. "Yeah it's… complicated."

Shellur gave him an appraising look, "You'll make a good chief. I'll do my best to be a good first wife."

[LaughingWych/12: Xander how did this happen?]

[Padrino/9: It was either become the chief or let them all be led to their death by the dumbass? The choice was obvious.]

LaughingWych/12: No I expected that, I meant how did you end up married at the age of seventeen?]

[Padrino/9: Oh, that? That was part of the deal. I know fuck all about her so this should be fun. It's kinda like a mail order bride situation. Also Doug, I got your new pickaxe buddy.]

[Miner69er: Thanks boss!]

[Illmaterist/8: Nice going dude, you got married like super young.]

[Gnarly1/17: Congratulations on your nuptials sir.]

[Padrino/9: Everyone stop it's more like an engagement we don't know each other like, at all.]

[LaughingWych/12: We'll talk about this later right now, finish dealing with our current problem.]

Focusing back on the Orogs, specifically Toggai, he said, "This is my ultimatum. Take your people and leave forever or stay and stay loyal. What'll it be?"

"We go! Come boys grab yer females, food, weapons, and we go!" He roared to his subordinates who proceeded to do just that.

Most of the women went willingly but some resisted and those that did were forcefully separated from their mates by Xander's decree. "I said no women would be forced to leave, and I meant it!" He pointed towards the gate, "Now if you'd kindly get the fuck out?" He looked to the older Orogs and ordered, "If you'd be so kind to make sure they find the exit boys?"

As the Orogs left to do just that he motioned to Shellur with his head and said tiredly, "Fall in Shelly. You can stay with us for now I guess?" He looked to Janna for confirmation, to which she gave a tilt of her head after a moment's hesitation. "I'll find work for the rest of you soon, for now, I need a nap. Let's go, everyone. Doug, here's your pickaxe." He finished by tossing said axe to the Puck who caught it gratefully.

Xander was so beat from the fighting he practically ignored the popup. [Quest Complete: For want of a Nail. +100EXP, +25 loyalty with Doug, and one Diamond worth 250 gold every twenty-four hours.

Hidden Objectives: Defeat the Elder Earth Elemental (+250 EXP), Drive off Jazmean Fey-Branch aka the Drow Priestess (+350 EXP), Become Chieftain of the Orogs, and get your first harem member (+450 EXP)]

"Wait, what does it mean first harem member?!" Xander said to himself before he ran his hand down his face. "I'm too tired to deal with this shit right now."

~FotP~

From the depths of the rubble Jasmean Fey-Branche finally managed to free herself from her would-be tomb. She had succeeded albeit inadvertently in passing the Chwidencha: The Test of Sacrifice, the fifth of the eight Punishments of Lolth tests sent by the Lady of Spiders to teach her people of sacrifice. Which to Drow means losing something without gaining anything. She had hoped to gain the trust of these Orogs and then through deception when the time of the Chwidevbril: The Test of Betrayal or the Chwihendrell: The Test of Domination the sixth and seventh tests respectively she would have a target ripe for the picking. Yet the Spider Queen had shown her the folly of laying such plans in advance. She knew one thing for sure however… When it came time for the Chwihendrell, she would stop at nothing to dominate a certain human ranger. His mind, soul, and most especially his flesh would belong to her. For she had never faced such a humiliating defeat in all her days, and she was a Drow. Her memory was long, and her hatred deep.

So thinking she opened a portal back to Menzoberranzan, already plotting her revenge...

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Chapter Length: 11,8877 Number of Pages: 29 Date Completed: 6/17/2021

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AN: Hello one and all and welcome back to Followers of the Path. It's been awhile since I updated anything, but my health has been shit until recently. But I'm back and better than ever. Or so I'd like to think. In the end though that's up to all of you. I'm gonna hand the mic over to Snowy for a bit, I'm sure he has something to say.

I am tired. Sick and dying of a stomach bug. But I edited and reviewed this damn chapter if it was the last thing I do. I hope you fanatics like this story and be prepared for what next we have planned. We had some setbacks with Bubba's health but we conquered them and came back stronger. Mark my words we will have our VENGEANCE!

Well said Snowy. As for Stat sheets next time guys this chap is long enough as it is. Till then everyone, this has been a Bubbajack, Icysnowsage, and Heliosion Production. Peace!